HEPATOTOXICITY INDUCED BY GIBBERELLIC ACID (GA3) IN ADULT MALE ALBINO RATS.

The present investigation aims to evaluate the effects of gibberellic acid (GA3) onthe histology and ultrastructure of the liver of rats and to assess the possibility of recovery after GA3 withdrawal. Male albino rats were equally divided into five groups. Group I served as control. Groups II&III received GA3 daily in drinking water (100 and 200 ppm, respectively) for 8 weeks. Groups IV&V received 100 and 200 ppm GA3; then were left without any treatment for another 8 weeks. Light microscopic examination of the liver of GA3-treated rats revealed histological alterations in the form of marked cytoplasmic vacuolation in the hepatocytes, increased lipid droplets, pyknotic and karyolitic hepatocyte nuclei, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the portal area. Ultrastructure of the liver of GA3-treated rats confirmed the light microscopic observations. The previous changes were more severe in rats treated with 200 ppm GA3. The toxic effects of GA3 were dose-dependent. However, stoppage of GA3 administration for 8 weeks has resulted in some sort of regression of the previously mentioned effects; resulting in incomplete recovery of these toxic effects.